2012 marks the first rink ceremony for Brescia grads and much more

June 7, 2012

London, ON – Brescia University College is proud to acknowledge the achievements of its graduates and graduands in a two-day celebration that features a new ring tradition, a high-profile speaker, an honorary degree recipient, and a spectacular procession down Brescia Lane.

On Sunday, June 17, Brescia will hold its 90th Baccalaureate ceremony and Magisterial service at St. Peter’s Basilica. This long-standing tradition at Brescia University College provides Brescia students, faculty, staff, and family members a chance to celebrate the success of its graduates and graduands before they convocate the next day. This year for the first time, Brescia will begin an exciting new tradition with the recently unveiled Brescia ring. Please seehttp://www.brescia.uwo.ca/ring/. Each graduate will receive her Brescia ring from Dr. Colleen Hanycz, Principal of Brescia University College, and take part in pledging an oath with her classmates.

This year’s guest speaker at the Baccalaureate and Magisterial Ceremony is a familiar face on CP24. Brescia alumna, Stephanie Smyth (’86), leads the CP24 Breaking News Desk and is the senior Breaking News producer in Toronto.

On Monday, June 18, the MSc Foods and Nutrition graduates will be honoured at a special ceremony in the morning on campus. Later, Brescia grads will join in an Alumnae Luncheon before processing to Convocation at Western’s Alumni Hall, where Brescia alum Joan Francolini will be the recipient of an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa (LL.D.) from Western University. The luncheon hosted by the Alumnae Association, will be attended by over 500 students, parents, and friends.

After the luncheon, Brescia’s graduates and graduands will walk down Brescia Lane, cheered on by proud parents, friends, faculty, staff members, and led by a bagpiper to Convocation held at Western’s Alumni Hall. The Convocation ceremony includes the presentation of Brescia University College’s Award for Excellence in Teaching earned this year by Dr. Steve Kleinknecht, Assistant Professor of Sociology. Also, this year’s Convocation will include the bestowing of an honorary degree to Joan Francolini, awarded in recognition of her extraordinary accomplishments and achievements.

Media: Please note that a separate release has been sent out about Joan Francolini.

Brescia University College, Canada’s premier women’s university college, is affiliated with Western University. The 1,275 women registered as either full or part-time students at Brescia study a wide variety of subjects in Arts, Social Sciences, and Foods & Nutrition in an empowering, compassionate, student-centred, and invigorating environment. Degrees are granted by Western. The Catholic College welcomes students from all backgrounds and values diversity. For more current and archived news, a listing of faculty experts, and photos please visit our Online Media Room athttp://www.brescia.uwo.ca/media/index.html